APIL APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT

09 June 2011

The incoming President of the Association of
Personal Injury Lawyers gave a very candid interview with Post
Magazine this month, revealing his plans for the body and one or
two career secrets.

David Bott, senior partner at Bott & Co has recently
succeeded to the role of President at Apil and as has become
customary, one of his first ports of call was for an interview with
Post Magazine. Post is a completely subscriber-only publication
so links are of limited use, but to paraphrase;
David's view on the principal challenges for personal injury
lawyers includes grappling with the consequences of the Jackson
Review and what the practical impact of the increase in damages
versus the removal of loser pays will be.

Any shortfall in compensation could force claimants to stretch
an open palm before the public purse. "Ultimately that shortfall
will be made up by the government and the NHS or the welfare state
will have to pay," he told Post. "If there is a lack of money it
has to come from somewhere. The concern is that you are shifting
the costs away from insurance and onto the state."

Of further concern was the potential for an increase in general
damages to negatively affect people with more serious injuries.
"These are the people who need redress most and access to justice
and, according to statistics, they are likely to be hit harder than
anyone else."

There were also some positive thoughts about steps being taken
to improve claimants' prospects. In particular David was
enthusiastic about the prospect of an Employers' Liability
Insurance Bureau being formed to mirror the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
"The Employers' Liability Tracing Office looks forward and is a
step in the right direction. But it only looks forward," he
explained. "The problem with looking backwards is finding the right
insurer in the first place. Insurers aren't necessarily trying to
duck claims - if the right insurer is found they will deal with
it."